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Risque Regency #3
The Mistletoe Mistress
When Annabel Cresswell finds herself stranded by the side of the road one snowy afternoon, she knows she is in serious trouble. Until her very own knight appears in the form of Dominic, the tenth Duke of Roth. Dominic is startled to find such a paragon in distress but quickly decides she can be of use to him. He proposes that she come home with him and pretend to be his fiancee. It will thwart his mother’s plans and allow for a trouble free Christmas. Except that nothing is trouble free when Annabel is about. The duke cannot escape his growing desire for her and as for Annabel… it turns out that all she ever wanted was a duke for Christmas.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2011
10 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Kate Harper
115 books50 followersLike most writers I've always read and I've always got something going on in my head, story-wise. Mostly dialogue - at least, I hope that's dialogue and not something more serious - which inevitably makes demands on me.
I can recall lying under my bed when I was nine with a candle, a piece of scrap paper and a pencil, rewriting a disappointing ending to a book that had been pretty good up until those final pages. I'd 'borrowed' a highly unsuitable romance from an elderly lady and had gobbled it down in a day. I took away three things from that first sojourn into making up my own, far more satisfactory world. 1/ the hero really needs to end up with the heroine, no matter how irritating she is cause that is what romance is all about. Happy endings, even if they're unexpected. 2/ I liked storytelling so much that maybe it was something I could do on a regular basis. My people could behave as they were supposed to. And... 3/ burning a candle under a pile of highly combustible bedding is a really stupid thing to do. Or so my mother pointed out. I'm lucky I'm not toast.
Writing is a wonderful escape and nothing says run away with me better than romance. So that's what I pursue... historical (particularly Regency... oh man, Regency. Where the men wore breeches and the women appreciated the fact), suspense and contemporary. You can always check them out on Amazon or at www.kate-harper.com. On a more personal note, I live with my partner (no breeches), my kids and a hoard of animals that shed fur into my coffee on a regular basis. We live in a particularly beautiful part of Victoria, in Australia and feel pretty lucky to do so.
I can recall lying under my bed when I was nine with a candle, a piece of scrap paper and a pencil, rewriting a disappointing ending to a book that had been pretty good up until those final pages. I'd 'borrowed' a highly unsuitable romance from an elderly lady and had gobbled it down in a day. I took away three things from that first sojourn into making up my own, far more satisfactory world. 1/ the hero really needs to end up with the heroine, no matter how irritating she is cause that is what romance is all about. Happy endings, even if they're unexpected. 2/ I liked storytelling so much that maybe it was something I could do on a regular basis. My people could behave as they were supposed to. And... 3/ burning a candle under a pile of highly combustible bedding is a really stupid thing to do. Or so my mother pointed out. I'm lucky I'm not toast.
Writing is a wonderful escape and nothing says run away with me better than romance. So that's what I pursue... historical (particularly Regency... oh man, Regency. Where the men wore breeches and the women appreciated the fact), suspense and contemporary. You can always check them out on Amazon or at www.kate-harper.com. On a more personal note, I live with my partner (no breeches), my kids and a hoard of animals that shed fur into my coffee on a regular basis. We live in a particularly beautiful part of Victoria, in Australia and feel pretty lucky to do so.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 22, 2014
I'm not sure why the book was given the title it received because I think it is very misleading. The author created some beautiful characters in this short little read. The duke didn't back down from, "Mommy Dearest" , and he did not spend too much time trying to pacify the ladies his mother had chose for him. The attempts these desperate women spent to ensnare Dominic was pretty funny. They used every trick and it became quite funny to me watching them pounce, display their wares and even lay themselves out as a sacrifice.
Annabel is sensible and did not spend the normal time feeling unworthy of the duke. It was quite the opposite. They were open with their feelings and I found it a nice change. The problems that plagued them came from his cold mother and these women who had their sights set on being a duchess. Annabel had her own male suitor if that's what you want to call it. I do wish there was a little more time spent on convincing me how deep their feelings were and I think the epilogue should have showed more of how Dominic was with his new life. I really like it when an author shows the characters adapting to the changes that have occurred. I would have liked to see Dominic's reaction to Annabel's Christmas gift. The book had a couple of graphic love scenes. Not both of them went as far as the other and they were done with taste. It was a lovely Christmas fantasy. A woman in dire straits rescued by a duke with integrity. Ladies he's everything you want in your duke. I loved when he put his mother in her place. Seasons Greetings!!
Annabel is sensible and did not spend the normal time feeling unworthy of the duke. It was quite the opposite. They were open with their feelings and I found it a nice change. The problems that plagued them came from his cold mother and these women who had their sights set on being a duchess. Annabel had her own male suitor if that's what you want to call it. I do wish there was a little more time spent on convincing me how deep their feelings were and I think the epilogue should have showed more of how Dominic was with his new life. I really like it when an author shows the characters adapting to the changes that have occurred. I would have liked to see Dominic's reaction to Annabel's Christmas gift. The book had a couple of graphic love scenes. Not both of them went as far as the other and they were done with taste. It was a lovely Christmas fantasy. A woman in dire straits rescued by a duke with integrity. Ladies he's everything you want in your duke. I loved when he put his mother in her place. Seasons Greetings!!
April 9, 2014
Prelim review: Honestly I had no severe problems with this novella. It was sweet and the leads were decent people who developed their chemistry further in (rather then the supposed 'insta-lust' the author tries to convince us of). The entire set up was just so...convenient for everyone involved. Dominic just happened to have a mother who was so overbearing that everybody in a 100 mile raidus was more than happy to do anything to tweak her nose? The mother just happened to find 4 'eligible' ladies who would drop their dresses at the drop of a pin? Annabelle just happened to be the most deisrable woman on Earth--so much so that all the males in the story were lusting for her?
The Dominic's mother goes to pains to say that the four young ladies she gathered for her holiday festivities were the ideal candidates to be a duchess. Worthy breeding, impeccable manners and above all ladylike. So tell me how then when she said 'If you display your breasts to my son he'll fall at your feet' they didn't even BLINK at the fact she was asking them to risk being completely ruined on the OFF CHANCE he'd take a liking to them because they flashed their breasts.
Annabelle was also rather naive for my tastes, with no real sense of how men reacted to her.
The Dominic's mother goes to pains to say that the four young ladies she gathered for her holiday festivities were the ideal candidates to be a duchess. Worthy breeding, impeccable manners and above all ladylike. So tell me how then when she said 'If you display your breasts to my son he'll fall at your feet' they didn't even BLINK at the fact she was asking them to risk being completely ruined on the OFF CHANCE he'd take a liking to them because they flashed their breasts.
Annabelle was also rather naive for my tastes, with no real sense of how men reacted to her.
October 22, 2020
Loved the Hero *4 1/2 stars*
I loved this Christmas time regency novella. It's well written, with an unusual, interesting plot, and wonderful characters. The most striking thing about it for me was the hero, Dominic. Dominic is unlike any other Duke I've encountered in my reading career. He's so cheerful, so laidback, so easy going, not at all the usual arrogant ducal type, but that's probably because he grew up as a second son. Furthermore, as easy-going and laidback as he is, he has an implacable spine of steel that comes into play when necessary. As for Annabel, she is sweet, sensible, and kind.
Annbel finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money and resources. Dominic, Duke of Roth, happens along, and seeing her standing outside the inn in the cold, offers his assistance. Annabel is clearly a gently-reared lady, albeit a destitute one. Moreover, as far as Dominic is concerned, she is the most desirable woman he has ever encountered. The sexual tension between the two is scorching!
Dominic is en route home for Christmas, where his mother is hosting a house-party. The duchess is intent on getting Dominic married off to an eligible lady of HER choosing. Dominic is just as determined to choose his own bride, when he is ready to do so.
Dominic knows that his mother has no doubt invited a slew of young ladies to present as potential brides, and he is dreading the experience. While trying to figure out a way to best help Annabel, he comes up with the idea to take her home as his pretend fiancee. Annabel agrees and the two start off on their mad caper. Dominic's aunt gives them her assistance providing a suitable wardrobe for Annabel and the lark begins. From there the story quickly develops to its HEA. The love that blossoms between the two is very quick, but very sweet.
Dominic's mother is a piece of work; the lengths she will go to to get her way is, quite frankly, appalling. But Dominic is no shrinking violet and is more than a match for her. Quite frankly, the only time you see his ducal side is when he is dealing with her.
The story is extremely entertaining; it's sweet, and funny, and makes for light reading. I absolutely loved it; actually this is the second time I've read it. There is even an epilogue depicting the couple's life together a year down the road...I LOVE epilogues! FYI, this is technically not a "clean" romance (not if you are someone who does not like sex of any kind in your romance novels.) There are a couple of love scenes, which IMO, are not overly descriptive. Happy reading!
I loved this Christmas time regency novella. It's well written, with an unusual, interesting plot, and wonderful characters. The most striking thing about it for me was the hero, Dominic. Dominic is unlike any other Duke I've encountered in my reading career. He's so cheerful, so laidback, so easy going, not at all the usual arrogant ducal type, but that's probably because he grew up as a second son. Furthermore, as easy-going and laidback as he is, he has an implacable spine of steel that comes into play when necessary. As for Annabel, she is sweet, sensible, and kind.
Annbel finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money and resources. Dominic, Duke of Roth, happens along, and seeing her standing outside the inn in the cold, offers his assistance. Annabel is clearly a gently-reared lady, albeit a destitute one. Moreover, as far as Dominic is concerned, she is the most desirable woman he has ever encountered. The sexual tension between the two is scorching!
Dominic is en route home for Christmas, where his mother is hosting a house-party. The duchess is intent on getting Dominic married off to an eligible lady of HER choosing. Dominic is just as determined to choose his own bride, when he is ready to do so.
Dominic knows that his mother has no doubt invited a slew of young ladies to present as potential brides, and he is dreading the experience. While trying to figure out a way to best help Annabel, he comes up with the idea to take her home as his pretend fiancee. Annabel agrees and the two start off on their mad caper. Dominic's aunt gives them her assistance providing a suitable wardrobe for Annabel and the lark begins. From there the story quickly develops to its HEA. The love that blossoms between the two is very quick, but very sweet.
Dominic's mother is a piece of work; the lengths she will go to to get her way is, quite frankly, appalling. But Dominic is no shrinking violet and is more than a match for her. Quite frankly, the only time you see his ducal side is when he is dealing with her.
The story is extremely entertaining; it's sweet, and funny, and makes for light reading. I absolutely loved it; actually this is the second time I've read it. There is even an epilogue depicting the couple's life together a year down the road...I LOVE epilogues! FYI, this is technically not a "clean" romance (not if you are someone who does not like sex of any kind in your romance novels.) There are a couple of love scenes, which IMO, are not overly descriptive. Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2022
Another brilliant addition to the series
This is another brilliantly written addition to this great steamy series. A the emotion and characters, come together wonderfully to create this very entertaining story.
This is another brilliantly written addition to this great steamy series. A the emotion and characters, come together wonderfully to create this very entertaining story.
September 25, 2014
My first Kate Harper read, and was not disappointed. Not being a full Novel, one can certainly understand why a story has to be rushed, however I didn't feel slighted in the least. I actually love the shorter Novellas. Will definitely read more from this author
July 23, 2013
3.8 stars. I loved it, it was such a cute story. What I didn't like was the fact that the falling in love was too fast, and also the fact how Dominic completely disregarded his mother. She was his mother after all, wasn't she? Even if she was evil.
August 10, 2012
A book that proves that you never know what your looking for and it could be right in front of your face.
November 7, 2012
I really liked the story. The whole story was rushed. To fall in short of time. For her to forgive him so quickly. Again. I liked the story, but wished it was more developed.
June 21, 2015
A silly and short bit of fluff.
December 16, 2011
This is the first I have read by Kate Harper, and I enjoyed it very much.
April 11, 2017
Short but sweet. The thing I liked about it was our heroine was dumped at the side of the road and it was snowy and freezing. If the Hero hadn't turned up she may have frozen to death. His idea and help was quite wonderful, plus the aftermath at his home. My only problem was I have read most of Ms Harper's stories, and this may be the last because while I like her work, I need stories that have more depth and some real and explicit love scenes.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews